A group of NRI Punjabis settled in the US have taken
up the onerous task of inspiring the people in the rural
areas of Punjab to strictly follow the teachings of
their gurus of simple living and high thinking.

At the tiny hamlet of Bhakhana Khurd in Punjab's Amritsar
district, alongside the India-Pakistan border, a majority
of the people are farmers. They believe in a life of
simplicity, toiling on their farms as a livelihood,
and at the end of the day praying to the divine.

The day starts with a prayer in a local Gurudwara,
and studying the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib.

However, recently, the villagers had a pleasant experience.
A group of NRIs had come to their village to give them
an in depth insight into Sikhism and develop in them
a rich cultural, aesthetic, social and spiritual sense
of the Sikh way of life.

Called Sahib Falcons, a non-profit organisation founded
by a group of NRIs of Punjab in the US, it has adopted
some 26 villages of Amritsar, to remind them of the
teachings of the gurus and also make them aware of the
latest technology in the west.

Kanwaljit Singh, founder member, Sahib Falcons said,
"Sahib Falcons has undertaken a project in the
name of `Langar chale guru shabad', with the aim of
spreading the teachings of the gurus. We want to provide
the services free of cost. People in the villages are
so simple and genuinely desire to imbibe religion. The
results speak for themselves".

With the aim to bring the youth closer to the Punjabi
language and Sikh religion, the organisation deputed
a group of experts to educate the children in their
schools. They interact with the students, identify the
problem areas and address them with their expertise.

The children who had forgotten their moorings are now
sitting up realising the truths and depths of their
ancient culture.

Bitto, a student said, "There has been a dramatic
change in our lives since we were taught about the gurmat.
And we feel that this is the right path to follow. I
myself have corrected my mistakes".

"More such steps need to be organised in the villages
so that children can know more about their religion.
These teachings are helpful in one's life, said Simran,
a student.

So remotely are these villages connected to the mainstream
that they seen to be living in the void of time. Education
and awareness are rays of hope to identify the world
and see history come close to them.

The contribution of the Sikhs living abroad is immensely
appreciated by the villagers, for in a short time they
have witnessed a dramatic change in their lives.

Jagjit Singh, a villager said, "The benefit here
is that those people who have adopted incorrect ways
can only be brought back on to the right path by following
the teachings of the gurmat".

In this holy land of Amritsar, devotion is inborn in
the hearts of its people. They live very close to their
god, believing in the oneness of mankind.

It was here that the Guru Har Gobind revealed the Sikh
philosophy of Miri and Piri, the oneness of the Temporal
and the Transcendental. Its symbol exists to this day.
(ANI)